2018 Craig Noel Award nominations announced

The San Diego Theatre Critics Circle is pleased to announce the nominations for its 2018 Craig Noel Awards. This year’s nominations honor the achievements of professional theaters in San Diego County during the 2018 calendar year. The nominees were chosen by a nine-member body of professional critics who write for San Diego newspapers, magazines, online publications and blogs. 

This year’s winners will be announced at the 17^th annual awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Feb. 11, 2019, at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation at 404 Euclid Ave., San Diego. Tickets are $15 for general admission (unreserved) seating. Reserved seating tickets are also available. For information, visit sdcriticscircle.org.

Outstanding Direction of a Play

Barry Edelstein - “The Wanderers,” The Old Globe

Rob Lutfy – “The Last Wife,” Cygnet Theatre

Carey Perloff - “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” The Old Globe

Jesca  Prudencio  - “Actually,” San Diego Repertory Theatre

Jesca Prudencio - “Vietgone,” San Diego Repertory Theatre

Sam Woodhouse – “A Doll’s House, Part 2,” San Diego Repertory Theatre

Outstanding Direction of a Musical

AJ Knox - "Avenue Q," New Village Arts

Kerry Meads - "Once," Lamb's Players Theatre

Sean Murray - "Monty Python's Spamalot," Cygnet Theatre

Larry Raben - "Young Frankenstein," San Diego Musical Theatre

Sam Woodhouse - "Fun Home," San Diego Repertory Theatre

 Outstanding Musical Direction

G. Scott Lacy - "Once," Lamb's Players Theatre

Don LeMaster - "Hairspray," San Diego Musical Theatre

Elan McMahan - "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Moonlight Stage Productions

Robert Meffe - "Fun Home," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Terry O'Donnell - "A Little Night Music," Cygnet Theatre

 Outstanding Scenic Design

John Lee Beatty - "Much Ado About Nothing," The Old Globe

Sean Fanning, "A Doll's House, Part 2," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Rob Howell - "Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax," The Old Globe

Kristianne Kurner - "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley," New Village Arts

Ken MacDonald - "A Thousand Splendid Sons," The Old Globe

Outstanding Sound Design

Melanie Chen Cole - "Actually," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Melanie Chen Cole - "Men on Boats," New Village Arts

Melanie Chen Cole - "Vietgone," San Diego Repertry Theatre

Will Pickens - "Uncle Vanya," The Old Globe

Mark Spiro - "Cloud Tectonics," New Village Arts

Outstanding Costume Design

Jennifer Brawn Gittings - "A Doll's House, Part 2," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Michael Krass - "Much Ado About Nothing," The Old Globe

David Israel Reynoso - "The Tempest," The Old Globe

Fabio Toblini - "The Importance of Being Earnest," The Old Globe

Paloma Young - "The Squirrels," La Jolla Playhouse

Outstanding Lighting Design

Alan Burrett - "A Doll's House, Part 2," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Tyler Micoleau - "Seize the King," La Jolla Playhouse

Chris Rynne - "Actually," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Bo Tindell - "Vietgone," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Robert Wierzel - "A Thousand Splendid Suns," The Old Globe

Outstanding Ensemble

"A Doll's House, Part 2" San Diego Repertory Theatre

"A Thousand Splendid Suns," The Old Globe

"The Last Wife," Cygnet Theatre

"Once," Lamb's Players Theatre

"The Wanderers," The Old Globe

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Male

Manny Fernandes - "The Last Wife," Cygnet Theatre

Daniel Eric Gold - "The Wanderers," The Old Globe

Ben Levin - "Vietgone," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Jay O. Sanders - "Uncle Vanya," The Old Globe

James Sutorius - "The Father," North Coast Repertory Theatre

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Female

Kate Burton - "The Tempest," The Old Globe

DeAnna Driscoll - "HIR," Cygnet Theatre

Nadia Guevara - "Cloud Tectonics," New Village Arts

Sofia Jean Gomez - "A Doll's House, Part 2," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Nadine Malouf - "A Thousand Splendid Suns," The Old Globe

Allison Spratt Pearce, “The Last Wife,” Cygnet Theatre

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Female

Andréa Agosto - "Bull in a China Shop," Diversionary Theatre

Robyn Cohen - "The Father," North Coast Repertory Theatre

Ali Rose Dachis - "The Wanderers," The Old Globe

Joy Yvonne Jones - "Voyeurs de Venus," Moxie Theatre

Heather Velazquez - "American Mariachi," The Old Globe

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Male

Javier Guerrero - "Fade," Moxie Theatre

Antonio TJ Johnson - "Smokefall," Backyard Renaissance Theatre

Brian Mackey - "Noises Off," Lamb's Players Theatre

Shaun Tuazon - "Vietgone," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Wrekless Watson - "Cardboard Piano," Diversionary Theatre

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Female

Theo Allyn - "This Beautiful City," Diversionary Theatre

Karole Foreman - "A Little Night Music," Cygnet Theatre

Caitie Grady - "Once," Lamb's Players Theatre

Amanda Naughton - "Fun Home," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Rebekah Rawhouser - "Next to Normal," Coronado Playhouse

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Male

Michael Louis Cusimano – “Once,” Lamb’s Players Theatre

Kevin Hafso Koppman - "Young Frankenstein," San Diego Musical Theatre

Omri Schein - "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum " North Coast Repertory Theatre

Jim Stanek - "Fun Home," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Robert J. Townsend - "South Pacific," San Diego Musical Theatre

Zackary Scot Wolfe - "Avenue Q," New Village Arts

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Female

Claire Adams - "Fun Home," San Diego Repertory Theatre

Roxane Carrasco - "Chicago," Moonlight Stage Productions

Lauren King Thompson - "The Loneliest Girl in the World," Diversionary Theatre

Cashae Monya - "Avenue Q," New Village Arts

Eboni Muse - "Hairspray," San Diego Musical Theatre

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Male

Bryan Banville - "Monty Python's Spamalot," Cygnet Theatre

Kevin Hafso Koppman - "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," North Coast Repertory Theatre

Tony Houck - "Avenue Q," New Village Arts

David S. Humphrey - "A Little Night Music," Cygnet Theatre

Zackary Scot Wolfe - "Hairspray," San Diego Musical Theatre

Outstanding Choreography

Katie Banville - "Monty Python's Spamalot," Cygnet Theatre

Jill Gorrie - "Hairspray," San Diego Musical Theatre

Michael Mizerany - "Voyeurs de Venus," Moxie Theatre

Karl Warden - "Disney's Newsies," Moonlight Stage Productions

Corey Wright - "Chicago," Moonlight Stage Productions

Outstanding New Play

"American Mariachi" by José Cruz González - The Old Globe

"Beachtown" by Herbert Siguenza and Rachel Grossman - San Diego Repertory Theatre

"The Madres" by Stephanie Alison Walker - Moxie Theatre

"Romeo, Romeo & Juliet" - Ruff Yeager - Roustabouts Theatre

"The Wanderers" by Anna Ziegler - The Old Globe

Outstanding Dramatic Production

"A Doll's House, Part 2" - San Diego Repertory Theatre

"A Thousand Splendid Suns" - The Old Globe

"Cardboard Piano" - Diversionary Theatre

"The Father" - North Coast Repertory Theatre

"Vietgone" - San Diego Repertory Theatre

Outstanding Resident Musical

"Avenue Q" - New Village Arts

"Fun Home" - San Diego Repertory Theatre

"Hairspray" - San Diego Musical Theatre

"Once" - Lamb's Players Theatre

"Young Frankenstein" - San Diego Musical Theatre

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Winners of these special categories will be announced from the stage:

Director of the Year

Don Braunagel Small Theater Award

Actors of the Year – Female and Male

Outstanding Young Artist/Sandra Ellis-Troy Award

 Outstanding Special Event

“Always…Patsy Cline”: Legendary Icon Returns to Standing Ovation.

Patsy Cline, like too many other musical legends, died young. Think Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper. The sadness comes because we know they never reached their full potential. We didn't know much about them outside their musical careers or their struggles to reach new heights, oft times living in hotel rooms and at the mercy of their promoters, but their music and celebrity lives on.

Band in background with Cathy Barnett and Katie Karel

Cline was born in 1932 in Winchester,Va. She overcame poverty, a life threatening automobile accident and a throat infection that affected her vocal chords influencing her rich sound. Just as she was reaching her stride she was killed in a plane crash at Camden, Tenn., returning from Kansas City, MO. at the age of 30. Others on board the plane, who also died were Hawkshaw Hawkins, Randy Hughes, and Cowboy Copas. Country singer Jack Anglin died in an automobile accident on the way to her funeral.

In 1952, at the age of 20, she got her first country- singing contract. That same year she married and had two children. Her husband wanted her to stay home, she wanted her career. Her rise to fame came after singing “Walkin’ After Midnight” on the Arthur Godfrey show in 1957, the very year she divorced.

“Always…Patsy Cline”, is a musical tribute to the legendary country singer. It was written and originally directed by Ted Swinldley with additional material from Ellis Nassour. 

Katie Karel as Patsy Cline

It is ‘based on a true story’ or happening  between Patsy (Katie Karel) and a loyal listener and fan, Texas housewife Louisa Seger (Cathy Barnett).

The two had a chance meeting at a Houston honk-tonk in 1961 where Patsy was appearing. They became instant friends when local Cline booster, Louise, an enthusiastic and energetic fan from the get-go, went to see her perform in person.

From that first time meeting to their instant bonding, an overnight, an exchange about children (Louisa was divorced; Patsy was abused), their friendship never faulted. Louisa received letters from Patsy after Patsy was on the road, which was most of the time.  The letters were signed  “Always…Patsy Cline”

Cathy Barnett and Katie Karel

North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach is currently mounting a fun filled, song- fest with Barnett as the Emcee and funny gal with Karel singing her heart out as her straight partner in crime belting out more than twenty -five (give or take) signature tunes (written by a variety of artists including Hank William’s Sr. and Willy Nelson). 

What a trip down memory lane for yours truly?

Staged simply and effectively by director Allegra Libonati featuring these two wonderful women, the show (lasting about two hours) runs like a well -oiled machine with audience participation. In the mix there were a few dance numbers with Cathy Barnett and a gent she pulled in from the audience to  a few little pecks on the foreheads of some of the more senior in the audience. No one wanted the show to end extending it for three encores.

Cathy Barnett

On stage Marty Burnett designed a three-area setting featuring Louisa’s kitchen appointed appropriately with colorful wallpaper, an electric coffee maker and stove for the two to fry up some bacon and eggs, a performing space in center stage where the band is in full sight and one for ‘The Grand Ole Opry, Arthur Godfrey Show, Esquire Ballroom Show (strobe and all) and a Houston Radio Show filled in other sights where the two met. Matt Novotny’s lighting served the production well in each of the three areas and Elisa Benzoni’s costumes fit the ‘50’s –‘60’s period well.

Cast and Crew of "Always..."Patsy Cline"

“I Fall To Pieces”, “Your Cheatn’ Heart”, “Faded Love”, “Walkin’ After Midnight” and “Seven Lonely Days”, “Stupid Cupid”, “You Belong to Me”, “Crazy”, “Shake Rattle and Roll” are just a few from the catalogue played to perfection accompanied by Fred Ubaldo, Jr. on Bass, Tim Cook aka Steelbone on pedal steel guitar (a most fascinating instrument). Jeff Dalrymple on drums and musical director Daniel Doss on keyboard.   

Katie Karel (Last of the Red Hot Lovers” “Always Patsy” -New Theater and “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”) has a natural swag, charm and twang but offers little else about the real Patsy Cline. While not measuring up to Cline's sound, her performance is convincing and sincere. As her bud, Cathy Barnett, has traveled far and wide in the role of Louise.

Cathy Barnett

She is full of piss and vinegar retelling the meeting of the two and how their friendship grew and became special, of how they shared enduring life’s curve balls; of bringing up children; of spousal abuse (just touched on) and finally of a mutual love and admiration.

It’ a bitter-sweet, and yes, captivating piece with music to send you home with a tear of regret and sadness, yet… toe tappin’ and knee slappin’ satisfaction. It’s up beat as well with Barnett out in front throughout.

In 2005, her album “Patsy Clines Greatest Hits” sold over 2 million copies. I have one in my collection.

For an alternative holiday delight "Always...Patsy Cline" is a Best Bet. 

See you at the theatre.

Dates: Through Dec. 30th

Organization: North Coast Repertory Theatre

Phone: 808-481-1055

Production Jukebox Musical

Where: 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Ste. D

Ticket Prices: $ 45.00

Web: northcoastrep.org

Photo: Aaron Rumley